George F. Will was right to criticize the Education Department’s civil rights office, where I used to work, for its attempts to “micromanage schools’ disciplinary procedures.”

For example, it discourages colleges from allowing cross-examination in sexual misconduct cases. That is unwise, because the Supreme Court called cross-examination the “greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth” in Lilly vs. Virginia (1999). Colleges have been ordered to allow it in a few court rulings, like Donohue vs. Baker (1997).

Greg Dobbs’ concern about the quality of TV news is well-placed. National network TV “news” is just an extension of the networks’ entertainment efforts. But I don’t blame TV stations and networks. They are profit-oriented businesses. They give us what their market analysis tells them will attract the most viewers. Most of the viewing public apparently prefers brief coverage of sensational events. The problem thus lies not with news providers but rather with news consumers. Until there is sufficient demand for accurate, thoughtful, in-depth coverage of current affairs, it won’t be found on network TV. Or as Pogo so eloquently put it, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Allen Lindeman, Aurora

This letter was published in the May 20 edition.

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I found it interesting to read that Gov. John Hickenlooper hasn’t decided what he is going to do on the bill for alcohol sales in grocery stores. I think he never decides anything until he sees which way the wind will blow. It appears to me he can’t even decide what color tie he should wear with his suit, thus no tie. Now, with your editorial saying the bill should be vetoed — which is right on the money — will we see which way the wind is blowing?

I’m glad Hickenlooper is term-limited. We need a better person for Colorado. Plus, if he ends up getting the VP nod from Hillary Clinton, at least he will be on a losing ticket, I hope, and he will be forced to actually decide something, like where is he going to work next?

Tom Metzler, Denver

This letter was published in the May 20 edition.

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One of the new RTD FasTracks trains that will travel from Denver’s Union Station to the Denver International Airport. This University of Colorado A Line opened to the public on April 22. (Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)

We waited for years to jump on the light rail just blocks from our house and ride to DIA. On opening weekend, we took the A-Train and gawked at the fine new hotel, wonderful station … and the long security lines inside the terminal. But in just a month we’re facing a bitter fact: If our flight departs from about 5 a.m. to almost 9 a.m., we simply can’t ride the A-Train and make it to DIA in time to stand in the TSA line for a couple of hours. That’s because all the feeder lines are closed from about 2 a.m. until almost 5 a.m. The buses are pretty much the same.

What good is a train to the airport if you can’t use it in those crucial morning hours?

Bob Taylor, Englewood

This letter was published in the May 20 edition.

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The solution to the airport security line problem is really not so difficult. The airlines should switch from charging for checked luggage to charging for carry-on luggage that is put in aircraft overhead bins. Checked bags should go free, except for the usual overweight charges.

This switch in policy will have several benefits. People will stop carrying everything but the kitchen sink on board. For an item that fits under the seat in front of you: no charge. Boarding and debarking the aircraft will go much faster. Security lines will shrink and move more quickly. They will only have to check the small carry-on bags and items that fit under the seat.

Also, and very importantly, this change would eliminate the need for large increases in Transportation Security Agency staff to cope with the ever-increasing number of air transportation travelers.

James T. Watson, Highlands Ranch

This letter was published in the May 20 edition.

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The University of Colorado was ranked 18th out of 20 fastest-growing “sugar baby” schools for this past year. (Thinkstock)

According to your front-page story, “a growing population” of college women are using an online site to find “sugar daddies” to “make ends meet amid soaring expenses.” A chart shows the number of college students registered as “sugar babies,” along with college tuition costs and the percentage of students graduating with debt. But nowhere is this so-called trend put in perspective.

The number of student “sugar babies” was less than 1 percent at every school, except Colorado College, which had 23 users among some 2,000 students. Plus, there is no correlation, much less causation, between the college cost and number of students turning to creepsters for expensive dinners and shopping allowances.

A 23-year-old woman dating a 70-year-old man for money? Please do not characterize that as an outcome of rising tuition costs. There is a website that enables young women to take advantage of old men, and vice versa. End of story.

Nancy Holt, Superior

This letter was published in the May 19 edition.

If “sugar daddies” are so concerned about helping “sugar babies” make ends meet amid soaring college costs, perhaps they could behave as mature adults and use their age and resources to find a solution to making college more affordable for everyone. I found it appalling that Joanne Belknap, a University of Colorado professor, is quoted as saying, “I don’t want to blame the women because I feel it is a way to get a college education,” adding, “We live in a culture where women are paid so unfairly compared to men.” Perhaps Professor Belknap wouldn’t blame them either if, after graduating, they slept their way to the top of the corporate ladder.

Young women should be encouraged to leave their panties on and take the gloves off to be prepared to fight for their right to equal opportunities. If my daughters were involved in sex for “favors,” I could only assume they had missed my lecture on self-respect.

Rebecca McAlister, Morrison

This letter was published in the May 19 edition.

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In reference to a judge’s ruling about discrimination on a Denver employment test, letter-writer Mike Heiny asks for an example of a test question that can more easily be answered correctly by a person of one race than another.

When we understand that race affects background and culture, test bias becomes clear.

I was a teacher in the Denver Diagnostic Center in the 1980s, and we used intelligence tests as part of our admittance into the program. One question asked students to explain the difference between a submarine and a fish. When I presented this question to one young man from the Denver inner city, he thought for a moment and then brightened up. He then explained that a submarine came on a long bun and a fish came on a round one.

No credit was given for the answer.

Frederick M. Buschhoff, Denver

This letter was published in the May 19 edition.

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Letter-writer Alan Hirsch poses the important question of what defines and motivates Donald Trump. The answer: a near-pathological need for attention from others. He is obsessed with it. It explains the books, the reality TV show, “John Miller,” the names on buildings, the boasting, the provocative statements, the tweets, the presidential run — everything about the man. His worst nightmare would be isolation on a desert island with no one to watch him. What a shame Republican primary voters have given him the platform to feed his personality disorder, with our country’s reputation and stability taken along for the ride.

Chris Toll, Englewood

This letter was published in the May 19 edition.

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Congratulations to Denver Public Schools on following the letter and spirit of civil rights law regarding transgender persons. Sadly, comments in this article by state Sens. Kevin Lundberg and Kevin Granthan reinforce the Republican norm of babbling about serious subjects regarding which the babbler knows absolutely nothing, compounded by the GOP norm of simply freaking out about anything perceive to be related to sex.

Lundberg shows his ignorance by saying civil rights are “none of [the law’s] business.” Granthan seems to think that local school districts and moms and dads are free to violate the civil rights of others at their whim and caprice. Both these men need some immediate education regarding the fact that being transgender has zero to do with choice, and also some sixth-grade level civil rights education, not to mention substantial help with their ancient Puritan ideas.

Bruce Bernstein, Evergreen

This letter was published in the May 18 edition.

Your recent opinion poll characterized the White House directive regarding transgender students as an accommodation to the students’ choice of bathroom. Yet, a May 13 Washington Post article clarifies that the intent of the directive is to provide transgender students access to “suitable facilities — including bathrooms and locker rooms — that match their chosen gender identity.” There is quite a difference between an individual, private stall in a women’s restroom and an open locker room.

The directive cites that “the desire to accommodate others’ discomfort cannot justify a policy that singles out and disadvantages a particular class of students.” Forcing girls and young women to be naked in front of and share a locker room with a naked biological male goes well beyond “discomfort.” In my mind, it singles out, disadvantages and discriminates against a much, much larger class of students — 99-plus percent of the students involved.
Tilly Rollin, Centennial

This letter was published in the May 18 edition.

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According to your article, a judge has ruled that Denver’s job application tests unfairly discriminated against minorities. I’m somewhat skeptical, but I could be convinced. Can someone (Chief Judge Marcia Krieger, maybe?) please provide an example of a test question that can more easily be answered correctly by a person of one race than another? I can’t think of one.

Mike Heiny, Colorado Springs

This letter was published in the May 18 edition.

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Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.